Higuaín to provide link between midfield and Arrieta

There's no doubt, the Crew attack has been much improved over the last few matches with the addition of striker Jairo Arrieta. Now Robert Warzycha will have even more firepower at his disposal once new Designated Player Federico Higuaín steps on the field for the Black & Gold.

"We are happy that we could bring in a player of the caliber that Federico is," Warzycha said of the Argentine at Thursday's introductory press conference. "He brings a lot of speed. He's very technically sound. He can set up other players and also score goals. He's going to be a perfect fit for us."

As a supporting forward, Higuaín will likely provide the link between Arrieta and the Crew midfield. Technical Director Brian Bliss hopes the new acquisition will bring out the best in his new teammates.

"Anybody that's watched the last three or four games has seen the way Jairo [Arrieta] has been playing and the form he's in," Bliss explained. "I can only hope and imagine that the way Federico plays, it will compliment what Arrieta does and Arrieta will compliment what Federico does. You throw Milo [Mirosevic] into the mix and [Chris] Birchall and our flank play--it's a formidable group of four or five guys."

With two playmakers behind Arrieta in Higuaín and Milovan Mirosevic, Bliss feels the two will be a potent combination against opposing MLS defenses.

"I think [Higuaín and Mirosevic] will be a good compliment because they are a little bit different. Milo is more of a possessional type of guy," Bliss compared the two players. "Federico in his own way is little more dynamic, creative, and can do the unpredictable."

After watching Higuaín train with the Black & Gold for the first time on Thursday, Mirosevic is looking forward to taking the field with the Argentine forward to help the Crew in its push for the playoffs.

"He's more of a forward than me," Mirosevic explained. "I think he will be nearer to Jairo. He has to be close to the forward as possible to break defenses. He's a very fast guy with quick feet. I think he will be attacking all the time."

Physically, Higuaín is fit after going through preseason training for his former club Colón de Santa Fe and could be available for selection Sunday in Houston.